This one made me think. Rush - Witch Hunt | REACTION

[@jimtatro6550]

“Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand. Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hard in hand.” My favorite Neil Peart lyric ever. R.I.P. 😢

[@powellpatterson4928]

Cant discount the lyrics for closer to the heart , a farewell to kings and losing it.... all brilliant

[@byronness7385]

@@powellpatterson4928 as well as pretty much every song he wrote, the man had a profound ability to tap into human psychology

[@forakermm]

THANK YOU!!!! Witch Hunt is such an underrated song.

[@scottinokc]

Witch Hunt is my absolute favorite Rush song. I have to believe the way you're thinking so hard at the end was definitely Neil's intent. For such a soft spoken, shy guy, Neil could write the most powerful lyrics.

[@jo.s7993]

Mine two. It's an absolute masterpiece.

[@carlbusque]

Love it. Yes we came here for your opinion because we want it. More Rush please, live! Working man live in Cleveland, Natural science at Toronto, secret touch snake and arrows please!😊. Love your work, real reactions from a musician!

[@michaelbriefs9764]

Geddy Lee's voice definitely improved from the beginning of their career to the early 1980s. By the time Moving Pictures came, in 1981, he was really solid and strong on his vocal instrument. He was a top-notch singer for the rest of his career. But in the 1970's, his voice was more in development and he was perfecting his talent. In 1976, he had mastered his "Hard Rock" voice. During the late 70's, he was a master of "Prog Metal" singing. After 1980, he became capable of singing whatever type of music they decided to play/write.

[@ErisianThreeFourteen]

"Oh, to see with eyes unclouded by hate." Great track, great reaction.

[@mikeholmes5308]

Rush... making ya think since 1974. Great reaction. Rock on Mark! :)

[@richardn8866]

I think what makes this song stand out amongst their others is the vocals. They are front and center for the entire song. The music just gives it an eeriness of emotion (Fear?). The lyrics could be sung by themselves and the message would still be just as powerful. Who would have thought when Geddy & Alex looked at each and said, "he reads a lot of books, maybe he'd be good at writing lyrics", that they would unleash one of the greatest writers (of any written medium) in the 20th/21st century. Thanks for your insight on this one. It's nice to see that under your gruff exterior, there is some compassion underneath. Cheers!

[@markabusireactions]

I’m lovely, deep deep deep deep down 😂

[@mickeythered]

So rare to see a reaction to Witch Hunt. As an actual witch this song resonates into my soul. Love Rush, best rock band ever!

[@jewel_laughs]

Many people are put off by Geddy's voice - that's no issue. You can still enjoy RUSH's music. They have MANY awesome instrumentals: I highly recommend La Villa Strangiato (live in Dallas), YYZ live in Rio, Main Monkey Business (Snakes and Arrows tour), and an almost total instrumental of straight ahead rock, Working Man (live in Cleveland).

[@nostromo526]

The two top “criticisms” I hear of Rush are…”don’t like Geddy Lee’s voice” and “Rush is overrated”. One of the two has at least some nugget of validity.

[@debbieplato5107]

This is a very powerful song and part of their fear series. The others are Freeze The Weapon The Enemy Within All these songs deal with different aspects of fear. Just to let you know Neil Peart was the main lyrist. As for Geddy's voice he changed his vocal style through the years and also as he grew older his voice matured as well. Cheers

[@arrowthrower]

Just found your channel and I'm going in order. Loving the reactions. I'm binging and ½ through a box into tissues, wiping my eyes and blowing my nose. Hilarious 😂👍 a new subscriber 😊 Great take👍

[@markabusireactions]

Ahhh thank you! 😂

[@toddashton9696]

Thanks for a great reaction. The first step is to realize that Ignorance and Prejudice are at the root of fear / hate of those who are different. Love Neil's drumming on this one.

[@rickhaddad7261]

This is the point in their career where there was a shift in how they approached music. The "synth era" has begun, and this is close to where they lost a lot of older fans. It's also where Geddy enjoyed that he didn’t have to hit the extremes of his vocal range. Oh, and it's Neil Peart who writes about 90+% of the lyrics. "Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand. Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand" are some powerful lyrics, and it's sad that not much has changed from the Salem witch hunts. Enjoyed the reaction! Take care ✌️

[@JeanPaillard-to1hx]

Maybe they did lose a lot of older fans but they never lost full audiences. Synth appealed to many newcomers and many older fans got used to it really fast. Many of their best songs are great BECAUSE of the synth which at the time introduced the ''space ambiant'' genre also called Progressive Electronic. It made the environment more realistic and immersive for people listening. Tangerine Dream, 70s Genesis, Aphex Twin, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Gary Numan, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Rick Wakeman/Yes, Radiohead, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, New Order, Nine Inch Nails are bands who based their music on synthesizers and this is just a very small sample. Progressive EDM is much more ''in your face'' music for those who relish on trance inducing synth music.

[@norwegianblue2017]

80s and 90s Rush was the best Rush, vocally speaking. Although he did get a bit 'elven' on Hold Your Fire.

[@JeromeDukes]

Witch Hunt is part 3 for the Fear Series release by album in reverse chronological order. Part 2 "The Weapon" was released on the next album "Signals". It talks about how fear is used as a weapon politically. Part 1 "The Enemy Within" released on the next album Grace Under Pressure, talks about our own fears/phobias. Rush much later release Part 4 "Freeze" on the album Vapor Trails but the general idea Neil Peart intended was the Fear Series to be trilogy.

[@ohTHATaaronbrown]

One of my very favorite tracks out of their enormous catalog of *excellent* music.

[@PeterMcCracken-n3g]

Hi Mark, still love your humor, I'm a Rush fan and I like people who are honest. Thankyou for a great reaction and breakdown to this song. Cheers.

[@DakBrown-e7p]

Yup your spot on....i like this guy

[@markabusireactions]

Thanks!!

[@michaelwhalen7154]

Great analysis. Definitely gets one thinking. Many of their songs are thought provoking. This song is part of their Fear Trilogy. The other two songs are The Weapon and the Enemy Within. A fourth was later added to this collection called Freeze. Another thought provocking song of theirs you would enjoy is Red Sector A (about the Holocaust). Love your reactions and sense of humour!

[@GM-MarkOfExcellence]

The mob sounds were the band and producers and techs out in the driveway screaming crazy things at each other

[@edgarpacifico3421]

Absolutely fantastic 🤩

[@timothyslaughter476]

Neil Peart was using these intricately syncopated, independence heavy beats and grooves that he plays in the opening section frequently during this era. Not fast grooves, not his typical driving beats but very thoughtful and of course fit the songs perfectly. We will always discuss who the greatest drummer in rock history is but there's no question Neil Peart was the most influential.

[@loadedorygun]

The riff is among their crunchiest and hardest, certainly since their earliest days. It reminds me of something from Black Sabbath’s Paranoid, which was certainly an influence to them and also War Pigs is thematically on the same wavelength. It’s a vibe of doom.

[@nostromo526]

According to his Patreon, apparently there is a Paranoid album reaction coming in the future. 🤘

[@johnmedeiros3763]

So true we all have our opinions. But i believe you might learn to love his singing with time. Remember being unique is part of being great

[@AlanHoss-pb1bc]

Welcome to the family bro 😎 Neil Peart is your favorite drummer’s favorite drummer. You MUST watch his solo from Frankfurt.

[@G-MAN1958]

Definitely a top 10 RUSH song, (IMO). This one is one of the "darker" songs from RUSH, Another track in much the same style would be, "Stick It Out" from their COUNTERPOINTS album! ☮

[@jimmybigshoes1165]

Mark, like most people focus on the lyrics. And why not, they're fantastic. But what makes this a great song, a great Rush song,is the coupling of the words with the music. They really did a fantastic job of setting the scene with the long intro, building tension until Alex kicks in on guitar. The song, like the mob is still taking shape. After the tension release of the 2nd and 3d verses, they're back to building tension again, "They say there are strangers who threaten us", but this time there's an underlying beat. The mob has grown, it's more sophisticated and with some muscle. The final verse is the truth bomb you're left holding as the music fades out.

[@michaelatkinson8291]

While they were recording this song in the studio, the news came through that John Lennon had been murdered in New York.

[@byronness7385]

This song from the first time I heard it in 80 gave me goose bumps an even more so today! Your reaction for me nailed it, as it’s exactly how I feel… The level of hate and ignorance today is mindnumbing I know your not a Geddy’s voice fan lol lol but when you hear him in the pocket like this, using his voice to hear the tension your feeling in his base lines, its hauntingly good! I am also personally a fan of when his voice shreds right through your soul too 😜 When you do 2112 you will see it all in its glory 🤘🙌 as well as the bands insane musicianship

[@samsmom1491]

Neil Peart wrote the lyrics. He also composed their arrangements. You should look into the books Neil has written, as well as know he was a firm atheist, who saw religion as a tool used to control humanity.

[@Lemmingadventures]

The song is about people always wanting to control others whether it's left or right.

[@jacquesjrviens3384]

Great song !!!!!!!!! Amazing lyrics

[@Stanzy1300]

Hey man. First of all, generally loving your reactions. A lot more interesting and intelligent than most Rush reactions. Couple of things: Neil wrote pretty much all the lyrics, not Geddy. Alex’s guitar playing was very underrated… until recently. Not a surprise since, as you said, he was standing next to two absolute beasts on their instruments. Much tougher to stand out on guitar, I think. Regarding Geddy’s voice, not sure if it’s an acquired taste or just a love it or hate it thing. I loved it from the beginning, because it gave Rush such an interesting and unique flavor. My son thinks Rush is awesome, but they’re not one of his favorite bands due to Geddy’s voice. Give more of their later stuff a listen, and I think you’ll find it less irritating. Signals is a great album for his singing, for example (check out Losing It for an awesome violin solo). Anyway, keep on doing. Looking forward to the next one.

[@markabusireactions]

Thank you!! I really appreciate that mate ☺️

[@nostromo526]

Another great and poignant Rush reaction Mark. Keep them coming. ❤

[@markabusireactions]

Thanks so much!

[@norwegianblue2017]

Love the Scottish attitude. Was ready for him to head butt the camera while defending his previous reactions. (Or as Mike Meyers described in one of his movie, the ancient Scottish martial art of Fuk-Yu!)

[@norwegianblue2017]

Rush is brilliant at writing songs about historical events or as cautionary tales against the darker side of humanity without sounding preachy. They also tend to do songs about universal truths and the triumph of the human spirit without sounding cliche or corny. This is not an easy thing to do.

[@markabusireactions]

100% agree!

[@JohnD.1969]

Another awesome reaction. The only thing I'd say is listen to the newer Rush songs. Geddy sings in a lower register. After decades of singing his voice was not the same as the earlier years.

[@markabusireactions]

Thank you!

[@loadedorygun]

On the lack of progress: Ren in Hi Ren suggests the “eternal dance” between good and evil within each of us and so reflected in all of us, and that “the brighter the light shines, the larger the shadow it casts.” That backlash you’re talking about is the inevitable shadow to the light of say, Obama’s victory.

[@cityhonors1]

🤔 40 yrs of Rush songs! 🤗 Something for everyone in every Era! 🥰 Hoping you get to the Cygnus X-1 Books (Voyages & Hemispheres), La Villa Strangiato, 2112 & the funnest (is that a real word) song ever 🏎️🚓🚓 Red Barchetta! ☺️🥰🐰

[@kenmolinaro]

It is a scientific fact that all accents spoken in the British Isles are just variations of an Australian accent. And that makes as much sense as calling Rush emo.

[@markabusireactions]

Yet here we are

[@dignan4]

I will say this, my dude. I didn’t give two fucks about your ‘emo’ comment because it’s something that your mind put together for you and then you verbalized it. That’s why I subscribe: for the unfiltered, spur-of-the-moment shit like that! But one thing that you do that actually bothers me a little bit. It seems your volume is too low (in my opinion ha ha). I don’t know anything about making content but most other channels’ music is significantly louder, like 25% or so. Ahhh, yes. Glad to get that off my chest. Keep up the great work, sir! I get almost as much joy from your biting humor and commentary than I do from the discussion about the tune. Good shit.

[@markabusireactions]

Okay I didn’t actually realise it was too quiet! I’ll try and have them turned up in future! It sounded pretty loud in my ears when I was making it haha

[@vincetripodi1016]

This song is 1 song of the 4 Fear Trilogy songs… Neil writes the songs.. great reaction….

[@scottshields113]

I know Neil used double track on a part of this song. But still its ungodly what he was bringing to the table in Rock in playing in power and precision in 81

[@JoannaGalacticTutor]

Neil is mostly the lyricist and then he with Geddy rework and compose all together -

[@stevecollette6831]

You need to continue to move forward in their catalogue. He tempers his vocal range as he ages and there are many songs where his voice works so well. The 70's 'screeching' that turn some people off, really goes away over time. Pick songs of his later 80's, the 90's, and even the 00's albums. You'll get a million recommendations, but with one exception, you can't go wrong with a Rush tune.

[@kenbarrett6579]

Neil wrote the lyrics to the songs

[@onlythatonetime]

Sorry you catch hate for your opinion. Thin skinned people can't handle that not everyone loves what they love. Keep voicing what you like and we'll keep enjoying your content.

[@beniboah4123]

Totally agree. I prefer later Geddy’s voice. From the Permanent Waves album his signing got better control. But having said that I think their music remains a top level art even with his earlier voice.

[@steveburns5441]

This video was not put out by rush it was made by a creator

[@markabusireactions]

I know 😂

[@nostromo526]

Not sure if you were directing this to Mark or the general audience as an FYI but Mark did imply this at 8:11 when he said "whoever" did the video.

[@markabusireactions]

@@nostromo526 I made the video. Oh wait, you mean the lyric video? I just assumed Geddy Lee wasn’t very busy that week.

[@GM-MarkOfExcellence]

Part 3 of a 4 part trilogy. lol yeah, 4 parts to the Fear trilogy - 3rd first, 2nd second and first 3rd... then the 4th lol. Part 1: The Enemy Within Part 2: The Weapon Part 3: Witch Hunt Part 4: Freeze

[@michaelkeller6223]

From about Permanent Waves on, Geddy ‘s voice and singing matured and the people who did not appreciate the shriller part of his range have fewer issues with his vocals from that point on…

[@behindenemylines9033]

Peart was the lyrics writer

[@SnowDogisVictorious]

And you're always welcome to come into my living room so that we can share opinions on stuff...

[@jeffedwards9180]

Yes, it is infuriating... Neil's lyrics are always relevant and thought provoking. Sometimes they get lost in the shock and awe of their instrumentation.🤘

[@kimbarry4674]

Geddy doesn't write the lyrics Neil does

[@markabusireactions]

Cool

[@davidjackson9246]

Neil wrote most of the lyrics

[@Silica_Packer]

Well, I liked your review! That is my opinion , whether you like it or not! There take that! And Thanks !

[@markabusireactions]

Oh well, thank you 😂😂

[@emmettdwyer7584]

you know that neil wrote the lyrics for the band

[@markabusireactions]

Yes

[@Vault-vh5jm]

If you like Witch Hunt, try Red Sector A. -)

[@lauracontino269]

Please listen to Eivor- Falling Free!

[@compnnburns8831]

yeah sort of it's old prejudices versus new i.e. nothing changes Salem witch hunt of 1600's versus McCarthy witchhunt of 1950's

[@markabusireactions]

And the Muslim witchunts of the 2000s

[@compnnburns8831]

@@markabusireactions yeah never ending Neil was such an intelligent and well read individual, As you keep delving you will find clever references to famous writers like Shakespeare, Ernest Hemmingway, Coleridge. If you listen to the few interviews he gave over the years you understand why he is referred to as The Professor. And he's not a bad drummer and percussionist as well!

[@konradkanuckle5920]

Like your reactions,....but close the door or ya let the wee beasties get in! From west coast Canada 🇨🇦, peace.

[@markabusireactions]

What door?!

[@fredricclack7137]

Duh 🙄 Neil 🖊️

[@SnowDogisVictorious]

What's an Emo? I'm sure you're right on some level anyway...

[@Enoughcrypto]

@mRkabusi. Hey mate have you heard of power female trio THE WARNING . From Mexico . Sisters

[@markabusireactions]

No, tell me MORE.

[@Enoughcrypto]

@@markabusireactions Man, they started when they were ( Ale 6 on Bass, Pau 9 on drums, and Daniela 11 , lead guitar and vocals ) Were hooked when they played Rock Band . There is a Enter Sandman video that went viral 10 years ago . Where it al started . They should be headlining Rock venues . They did not sell out . We’re an independent label … to still maintain their creative integrity. 🤘

[@chefdeth7993]

What the fuck did you just say?

[@markabusireactions]

You’re really gonna need to narrow that down buddy

[@daaaaaave]

Maybe it’s time to rebrand as Emoperialist Reactions.

[@markabusireactions]

😂😂😂

[@Z1ldjian2785]

The only thing I agree with you about is Geddy singing. It can be very hard to listen to for long periods of time. It's very draining, and fatiguing

[@daaaaaave]

More music less bs talking.

[@technopsychobedlam]

Zzzz....kept waiting for something interesting to happen. Fell asleep.

[@markabusireactions]

Ironically, this insult will keep me up at night. Thanks for that.

[@technopsychobedlam]

@@markabusireactions The insult was directed at Rush. A man as hansome as yourself could never be truly boring

[@markabusireactions]

@@technopsychobedlam HANDSOME? Gtfo 😂😂

[@technopsychobedlam]

@@markabusireactions Yeah ok, I stand corrected :-D

[@wesleyyoung4419]

With your grading annoying accent you've got no room to criticize anybody's voice

[@markabusireactions]

Grating* Also, you’re correct. I have no room to criticise. And yet here I am, doing it. And what are you doing in return? Bad spelling. So I guess we’re all fucked.

[@wesleyyoung4419]

@@markabusireactions complain to Google about spelling on their talk to text app. I realize you are new to Rush but if you keep an open mind you will find you have discovered one of the best voices in history

[@leonardwhitmore4717]

You got the trump thing wrong the beef was over them tearing statues down the haters doing it and the people that didn’t want ther town torn to pieces,that’s were he said good people on both sides meanin the town’s people.get the story straight before you repeat fake news talking points .it’s your responsibility to get the story right.thanks for the rush.

[@domperignon778]

Fact check: Trump in the same interview, about the same question, draws equivalence between George Washington and Robert E Lee. In his “very fine people on both sides” comment, he deliberately attempts to duck the involvement of neo-nazis at Charlotte, employing whataboutism by pointing to and focusing on non-violent protesters and avoiding considering racist and neo-nazi instigators. It’s disingenuous to say that Mark is “repeating fake news”. Turn the fire hose off and read the transcript.

[@markabusireactions]

There were fucking Proud Boys marching in Charlotsville, a well known far right extremist group, who he was asked to denounce, and he absolutely refused to. Get yourself the fuck out of here. Rush would be ashamed at what you just threw at me.

[@bradleyard4195]

It was the "Unite the Right" march in Charlottesville, he was actually one hundred percent correct. And to call people who want statues and icons of figures of the Confederacy removed "haters"... I mean, really? Really? That is an era of history that should definitely be discussed in history books as accurately as possible, but to hold anyone up who stood on that side of history as any sort of hero is insane. These were people who had no problem enslaving, beating, r*ping, and even murdering other people strictly on the basis of skin color. "They're different! They must be less intelligent/weaker/inferior!". In modern times, there's been one political movement that was worse than the Confederacy, and that existed in Germany from 1923 to 1945. Then again, many people who hold the Confederacy in such esteem also do the same for them, so, hey... Now go read a damn book.

[@domperignon778]

Fact Check: That was the interview where Trump compared Robert E Lee to George Washington, as if they were on the same level, then went on to say that in Charlottesville there were "very fine people on both sides". Yes, Trump did say in that interview, "And you had people -- and I’m not talking about the neo-Nazis and the white nationalists -- because they should be condemned totally. But you had many people in that group other than neo-Nazis and white nationalists. Okay? And the press has treated them absolutely unfairly." The context in that interview for those remarks was that he compared the leader of the Confederate States Army with the general who won the Revolutionary War of Independence, as if the two were on a moral equivalence. He then immediately went on to compare the "people on both sides", saying that there were "many people in the group other than white nationalists and nazis" in the group. The problem with that analysis was that this was a "unite the Right" rally, which was made up almost solely of white nationalists and actual nazis. So in confining his criticism to "a few bad apples" was a massive dog-whistle that people doing what the "unite the Right" rally did would be viewed by him in the same way as those protesting statues glorifying slavery. This can be viewed as a foreshadowing of his comments that those convicted in the Jan 6th Capitol riot are "hostages". Weirdly, Robert E Lee, whose statue Trump was against removing, was a leader in an armed attempt to overthrow the legitimate US Government. Makes you think, no?

[@bradleyard4195]

@@domperignon778 Nailed it.

[@konradkanuckle5920]

You need to actually listen to what President Trump said that day......and know the truth of the circumstances right/left and wrong.

[@markabusireactions]

Aw, get your rhetoric outta here. Protestors were tearing down statues that were glorifying slavery, and the Proud Boys showed up for the other side. I absolutely understand what happened. But he was SPECIFICALLY asked to denounce the Proud Boys, a notoriously far right extremism group that even Mike Pence denounced, and he wouldn’t do it. And he wouldn’t do it because a lot of his support and a lot of the channels he needs to spread his message, comes from that base. Please don’t try and insult my intelligence, I was paying close attention. Me speaking in broad strokes about a subject because I’m doing a music reaction video on a livestream and I don’t want to derail it with a lengthy discussion on politics, is NOT the same as me not fully understanding what was going on. Thank you for coming to this TED talk.

[@bradleyard4195]

​@@markabusireactions*stands and claps*